Hasta La Gadget!

As the leaves turn to gold and flutter from the trees, the Engadget team digs out their scarves and mittens to get ready for the mad rush of phone launches that take place ahead of the holiday season. We’ve seen big devices (both large and high-profile ones) enter the world over the last few months, including new heavyweights from Apple and Google. Then there’s Samsung, Nokia and HTC, which are all following the philosophy that bigger is better.

But it’s not just on the hardware side that things are getting exciting. T-Mobile’s eliminated roaming charges and Verizon is doubling its LTE speeds to a whopping 80 Mbps. AT&T is offering customers a $5 daily pass for internet and is making mobile share plans the standard rather than the exception. Of course, if you’d prefer unlimited data, Sprint is promising that its Spark LTE will beat the field — but it’s currently only available in NYC, LA, Chicago, Tampa and Miami. Whether you’re looking for a smartphone right now, or if you’re contract is about to expire, this is your guide to the best ones on the market.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple, Samsung, HTC, Nokia, Google, Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, LG, Blackberry, T-Mobile

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Welcome to Engadget’s back to school hub for 2013! Whether you’re a middle schooler, a college senior or just a tech-head looking for an excuse to refresh your gadget lineup, we’re here to help. Throughout the month of August, we’ll be posting in-depth guides to accommodate every budget, from cheap picks to high-end options. These guides will help you do your research, but 15 lucky readers will have the shopping done for them; our giveaway includes a flagship smartphone, an Ultrabook, an e-reader and many other toys to see you through work and play. We’ll be drawing the names of winners in early September, but in the meantime our guides should keep you plenty busy. Click on the available category pages to start your comparison-shopping, and stay tuned for upcoming guides.

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  Smartphones

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  Ultraportables

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  Tablets

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  E-readers

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  Laptops

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  HDTV

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  Gaming

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  Cameras

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  Accessories

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  Portable audio

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  Docks

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  Bags and cases

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  Printers

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  Fun stuff

Note: You can enter our back to school contest by leaving a comment on the giveaway page, or at any of the category pages listed above. Comments left on this page will not be considered.

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Summertime is now in full swing, and it’s also a period of transition within the mobile world. With the exception of a brand-new smartphone that wields a 41-megapixel shooter, our buyer’s guide hasn’t changed much since the last installment, but that’s not to suggest the market is stagnant. On the contrary, high-profile smartphones such as the next iPhone, the Moto X and the successor to the Galaxy Note II are in the pipeline, and there are even rumors swirling of a larger BlackBerry. Likewise, two of the world’s premiere smartphones — the HTC One and the Galaxy S 4 — are now available with stock Android directly from Google, which brings the added promise of timely software updates.

Mobile carriers are changing the game too, thanks in large part to the T-Mobile Jump program, which allows customers to upgrade their smartphone every six months. AT&T Next and Verizon Edge will soon provide similar (albeit more expensive) offerings, with upgrade eligibility that comes once per year. Even Sprint is doing its part with Unlimited, My Way, which promises unlimited data for life. Whether you’re looking to purchase a new handset right away, or you’re simply evaluating your options, Engadget’s smartphone buyer’s guide is the definitive resource for finding the very best smartphones on the market today. We’ll be here when you’re ready.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, HTC, Google, Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, Blackberry, T-Mobile

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Old Man Winter’s reaching deep into his bag of tricks this season, but we’ve found the perfect escape from his world of rosy cheeks and frosty trees: just step into your local electronics store. Here, you can bask in the glow of the latest smartphones, each clamoring to join you for a new year of fun and adventures. Naturally, making sense of the dizzying array isn’t an easy task, but our smartphone buyer’s guide is here to help you find a handset that’s sure to thrill.

As you’ve probably noticed, a number of today’s best smartphones are now available on multiple carriers. Likewise, we’re introducing a new section that highlights devices that are available from three or more providers. The carrier section is also receiving a slight tweak, as you’ll now find our top picks of carrier exclusives. Naturally, more smartphones than ever also means you’ll find more choices than ever, but regardless of your budget or needs, you’re sure to find a number of thrilling selections. So grab a cup of cocoa and join us after the break, where we round up the most exciting options of the new year.

Continue reading Engadget’s smartphone buyer’s guide: winter 2013 edition

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Welcome to the Engadget holiday gift guide! Picking presents for friends and loved ones is never a simple task, and with thousands of options for each category, buying technology can be an especially frustrating experience. We’re here to help. Below you’ll find today’s bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to our hub to see the rest of the product guides as they’re added throughout the holiday season. And don’t forget to enter our giveaway — leave a comment for a chance to nab AT&T’s LG Optimus G.

If you have any gadget junkies in your life, there’s a good chance they’re craving a new smartphone. Whether you’re on a tight budget or have a fat wallet, simply look to our surefire list of the best and most unique mobile devices to place under the tree. But enough with the chatter… let’s start shopping!

Continue reading Engadget’s holiday gift guide 2012: smartphones

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple, Samsung, HTC, Nokia, LG

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